Comparing Facelift Techniques: Which One Is For You?

For nearly a century, the facelift, or rhytidectomy, has been a popular anti-aging procedure. While the objective of the facelift has remained the same, much has changed regarding the techniques and approaches used by facial plastic surgeons. There have been so many advancements that different varieties on the lift have emerged as individual procedures. Take, for instance, the lower face and neck lift, the endoscopic mid facelift, and the uplift; all modern variations on the traditional facelift and all of which should be considered when deciding on your own facial rejuvenation surgery.

What to Expect: The Lower Face and Neck Lift

The lower face and neck lift approach is the version most similar to the traditional facelift surgery. It was designed to diminish signs of aging evident on the face and neck. The lower face and neck lift involves three main steps: lifting and tightening the relaxed muscles, repositioning drooping fat pads while removing unneeded fatty tissue, and excising loosened, baggy skin from the face and neck. This type of facelift focuses on the lower third of the face and the neck, including the jaw line.

Either a multiplanar or multi-layer approach can be used to achieve the best results based on the patient’s unique facial features, needs, and goals. Adapting their techniques can help surgeons better restore a patient’s youthful contour and profile. This is why custom-designed facelifts combined with the endoscopic technique are offered at the Aesthetic Surgery center, following an in-depth facelift consultation. Vertical repositioning of the target areas can achieve the most natural-looking lift to this portion of the face, wiping away years of wrinkles and sagging.

A lower face and neck lift will begin with incisions placed in the creases of the skin within and behind the ear. The muscles and skin are both tightened to strengthen and enhance the overall look, as well as make the facelift results last longer. The final effect of this type of facelift is a tighter, younger appearance of the lower face, jawline, and neck areas.

What to Expect: The Endoscopic Mid Facelift

The mid facelift is a similar procedure with a slightly different focus. During an endoscopic mid facelift, the hard-to-reach areas of the mid-face are addressed. These may include sagging fat pads next to the nose or weightiness around the mouth. The mid facelift will also vertically elevate and reposition these sagging tissues of the face, with the intention of increasing cheek volume and creating a well-defined profile. Mid facelifts can also help female patients achieve more openness to the outside corners of the eyes. This procedure can be performed alone or as a complement to the lower face and neck lift to provide a completely rejuvenated look throughout the lower and middle areas of the face.

The endoscopic mid facelift is performed using tiny incisions, fiber optics, and a video camera to guide the surgeon. The incisions will be hidden in the hair and placed above the ears and inside the scalp, as well as under the lip as high up as you can place your tongue. Fat pads that have begun to gravitate to the jowls will be lifted and re-positioned to their original positions in the cheeks. The muscles and skin will also be tightened to create the complete anti-aging effect. Your mid facelift results will help you look refreshed, less tired, and more youthful.

What to Expect: The UpLift Facelift

Another choice available at the Aesthetic Surgery Center is the UpLift Facelift, a specialized facelift procedure that involves jawline and upper neck tightening. This type of facelift is best suited for patients who want minimal downtime for recovery and have a fair amount of sagging tissue along the jawline and upper neck areas. It’s not your typical “mini-lift” because it is not a simple skin suspension procedure or suturing technique of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system surgery (SMAS) . Instead, the UpLift Facelift combines neck reconstruction with muscle reattachment, liposuction if required, and tightening of the facial support system with SMAS.

For the UpLift procedure, the incisions will be hidden inside the ear, around the earlobe, and under the chin. Developed by Dr. Anurag Agarwal and Dr. Richard Maloney, the UpLift combined the techniques of the traditional lower facelift and a necklift to create this unique and highly specialized procedure. The best results are achieved by combining the UpLift with an endoscopic mid facelift; the UpLift is not meant as a replacement to other techniques, such as the lower face and neck lift which also targets the lower neck area.

After your UpLift surgery, you should expect about one week of recovery time, which is much less compared to that following traditional procedures. As your UpLift results begin to emerge, you may also notice that they are dramatic, dropping years from your face in just one procedure. To decide which facelift approach would be the best way to achieve your personal goals, consult with your plastic surgeon today.

Book a Facelift Consultation to Get Started

If you can’t decide which facelift technique is the right treatment to achieve your anti-aging goals, start by consulting with an expert on facial rejuvenation surgeries and other cosmetic treatments. Contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to book an appointment with Dr. Anurag Agarwal or Dr. Richard Maloney, our double board certified facial plastic surgeons. Drs. Agarwal and Maloney have been featured on many of the major news networks, including ABC, NBC, and FOX as recognized experts on a variety of facial plastic surgery topics. Dr. Agarwal and Dr. Maloney believe that educating and communicating with their patients is the key to helping them achieve the natural-looking results they want. Book your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 1175 Creekside Parkway #100 in Naples, FL, by calling (239) 594-9100.

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Before & After Gallery

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View galleryThe before and after photos demonstrate a sampling of the results of Dr. Agarwal, Dr. Maloney and Dr. Ross. They are for illustrative purposes only and individual results may vary. Consult your physician about all treatment options, as well as the risks and benefits, prior to undergoing any procedure.

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